A dashcam is a small camera that records the road while you drive. If something happens, a crash, a near miss, or a dispute about who was at fault, the footage is the clearest record of what actually took place. That is why more Surrey drivers are having one installed, and why the questions we hear most are about how many channels to get, whether to hardwire it, and what parking mode really does. This article answers those questions in plain language.
1-channel vs 2-channel: what is the difference?
A 1-channel dashcam has one camera, mounted on the windshield, facing forward. It records the road ahead of you. That covers the most common situations, such as a car cutting you off, a rear end collision where the other driver claims you braked suddenly, or anything that happens in front of the car.
A 2-channel dashcam adds a second camera, usually mounted on the rear window, facing backward. It records what happens behind you as well as in front. That matters for rear end collisions, for cars following too closely, and for anything that happens while you are parked. If you are ever in a dispute about a rear impact, rear footage settles it quickly.
Some drivers also ask about a third camera for the cabin, which is popular with rideshare drivers. The choice comes down to what you want recorded. If you only need the road ahead, one channel is enough. If you want the full picture, front and rear, two channels is the better choice. We can talk through your driving and help you decide.
4K resolution: is it worth it?
Resolution is how sharp the recorded image is. A 4K front camera records more detail than a lower resolution camera, and that detail matters when you need to read a licence plate or a street sign from the footage. That said, resolution is not the only thing that matters. A well installed camera with a clean lens and a good angle will beat a higher resolution camera that is mounted badly. When we install a dashcam, we set the angle so the camera sees the road, the lane markings and the cars around you, not the bonnet or the sky.
Hardwiring and hidden wires
A dashcam can be powered from the cigarette lighter socket, but that leaves a cable hanging down the windshield, and the socket may stay live or switch off with the car depending on the vehicle. Hardwiring connects the camera to the fuse box instead, with the cable tucked behind the trim so no wires are visible. The result is a clean install that looks factory fitted, with nothing dangling in front of you while you drive.
Hardwiring also makes parking mode possible, because the camera can draw a small amount of power when the car is off. That is the main reason most drivers choose a hardwired install, even though it takes more time than a socket powered one.
What is parking mode?
Parking mode is a setting that lets the camera keep watching while the car is parked and the engine is off. When it detects motion or an impact, it starts recording. That is useful in car parks, on the street, and anywhere your car sits unattended. A bump in a car park, a door hitting your car, or someone trying a door handle can all be caught on camera.
Parking mode uses the car battery, so a proper install includes protection against draining it. A hardwire kit monitors the battery voltage and switches the camera off if the voltage drops too low, so the car will still start in the morning. That protection is an important part of the job, and it is worth asking about when you book an install.
What to expect at your appointment
Dashcam installation is done by appointment at our shop in Surrey. Before the work starts, tell us the year, make and model of your vehicle, whether you want a front only or a front and rear camera, and whether you want parking mode. We will plan the cable route for your car, because every vehicle has different trim, fuse box placement and rear window access.
The install itself involves mounting the cameras, running the cables behind the trim, connecting to the fuse box, and testing the camera before you leave. We check that the camera is recording, that the angle is right, and that parking mode is set up the way you want it. We also show you how to view and save footage, because a camera you cannot use is no better than no camera at all.
A few things to keep in mind after the install. Keep the lens clean, the same way you keep the windshield clean. Check the memory card now and then, and replace it if it starts to fail, because a worn card is the most common reason a dashcam stops recording.
Apna Customs, 9182 120 St, Surrey, call (778) 700-0193 or visit apnacustoms.com, by appointment only, Mon 10 to 6, Tue closed, Wed to Sun 10 to 6.